ABOUT US

Based in Groton, Connecticut, Road Signs for Life is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2023.

Mission

The mission of Road Signs for Life is to foster a positive mindset and personal growth in our society’s vulnerable populations of women in prison and juveniles in detention and treatment centers.

Vision

Our vision is to disseminate messages of encouragement, hope, and guidance through the donation of posters and other materials containing inspirational quotes and affirmations to the targeted facilities.

Research

Psychologists who practice cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) state that “inner monologues,” commonly referred to as “self-talk,” can be used as tools to help overcome depression and improve social relationships.  They suggest positive and supportive messages to counteract the critical and negative thought that reinforces depression and other damaging conditions.  The posters that RSFL donates to correctional facilities provide just the type of positive messages encouraged by CBT practitioners.

Research has found that the majority (58%) of incarcerated women in the U.S. are mothers and that children of incarcerated parents are, on average, six times more likely to become incarcerated themselves. Children of incarcerated mothers have earlier and much higher rates of arrests. The cost to society, in both human suffering and financial outlay is significant. Changing mindsets to improve lives can help to reduce incarceration rates among these two populations.

In addition, the limited budgets at most correctional institutions generally do not provide for displays of the nature that our program delivers. Our posters are eye catching and thought provoking, and some are designed so that original artwork can be added to them by inmates and students. This encourages them to take ownership of the messages as well as the images.

Target Audience

Our target audience consists of two groups in our society who have found themselves enmeshed in our legal system. The program serves inmates at correctional institutions for women as well as juveniles in detention and treatment centers throughout the state of Connecticut.

Board of Directors

Beth Bogdan: Technology Director

Advisors

Nick DeCesare, Brand Designer
Carol Cohen Freifelder, Marketing Consultant
Andrew Lopez, Research Support Librarian at Connecticut College
John Bauer, Attorney
Bella Mirante Larson, Social Media Consultant
Scott Hill, Department Head, Digital Media, Ella T. Grasso Technical High School